While local and state benefits continue to make up the largest percentage of our workload, referral and assistance with federal benefits is a large part of our job. Recently we received data from the MA Department of Veteran Services that indicates Melrose, Wakefield and Saugus receive $12.8 million in VA disability and pension payments annually and more than $1 million a month. To see our full report, click here.

Total VA Benefits

Breakdown in Thousands

Not every veteran receiving or filing for VA benefits funnel through our offices, but it is one of our primary goals to make sure every veteran in our district understands their benefit eligibility. Federal benefits are important to our more than 5,000 veterans, giving them access to crucial healthcare, ensuring all veterans have a least the basic quality of life they were promised and replacing income when necessary due to service connected disability.

More than 940 veterans in our district receive VA disability or pension, nearly 20 percent of the population. Although not a direct correlation, this does match national data that indicates approximately 18 percent of the living veteran population has a VA disability rating. Additionally, district numbers roughly match the distribution of veterans in our district with Saugus having the most veterans, benefits delivered and unique usage.

Federal dollars are important for our communities. When veterans and their families are not eligible for local and state benefits, we seek alternative sources of assistance to include federal benefits that have larger eligibility criteria. Additionally, Chapter 115 regulations demand that we seek federal benefits whenever possible to lessen the impact of Chapter 115 benefits on the municipalities and state. Simply put, federal benefits are important to us, important to the communities we serve and important to our veteran populations.